Electrical actuation of dielectric droplets by negative liquid dielectrophoresis

This paper presents an electrical actuation scheme of dielectric droplet by negative liquid dielectrophoresis. A general model of lumped parameter electromechanics for evaluating the electromechanical force acting on the droplets is established. The model reveals the influence of actuation voltage, device geometry, and dielectric parameter on the actuation force for both conductive and dielectric medium. Using this model, we compare the actuation forces for four liquid combinations in the parallel-plate geometry and predict the low voltage actuation of dielectric droplets by negative dielectrophoresis. Parallel experimental results demonstrate such electric actuation of dielectric droplets, including droplet transport, splitting, merging, and dispending. All these dielectric droplet manipulations are achieved at voltages < 100 V-rms. The frequency dependence of droplet actuation velocity in aqueous solution is discussed and the existence of surfactant molecules is believed to play an important role by realigning with the AC electric field. Finally, we present coplanar manipulation of oil and water droplets and formation of oil-in-water emulsion droplet by applying the same low voltage.